Reacher season 1 was a highly successful show for Amazon due in large part to things the show did better than the Tom Cruise movie adaptation.
Reacher was a huge success for Amazon, and a big reason for that was the show's insistence on sticking to the source material and doing things differently than the Tom Cruise movies. The comparison to the Tom Cruise movies is inevitable, and for fans of the franchise, the details make all the difference. The films took a left turn from the source material, particularly in how the character of Reacher himself was portrayed, and Amazon's casting and story direction took those lessons to heart. From characterization to story, Amazon's version of Jack Reacher provided a more familiar and accurate depiction of the character from the books.
While the two Jack Reacher films were great action movies, the characterization of Reacher and his interactions with the world and other characters around him left a lot to be desired. Fans of the books did not consider Tom Cruise's interpretation of Reacher to be an accurate adaptation of the beloved character. Amazon's Reacher has been welcomed with open arms by those who appreciate the books, for a number of reasons.
It's no secret that many scratched their heads when the casting of Tom Cruise was revealed as the casting choice for Jack Reacher. According to one of the Jack Reacher books, Killing Floor, Reacher stands at 6'5" and weighs 250 pounds, while Cruise comes in at around 5'7". While Alan Ritchson is 6'2", he still makes for a more imposing and book-accurate Jack Reacher than what the film version portrayed.
From scenes with detective Finlay to the romance with Officer Roscoe Conklin, Reacher's dynamic with the characters works much better in the Amazon show. The show takes the time to foster the relationships between the characters and gives everyone something to do. This dynamic between the characters was sorely missed in the films and is another reason why the Reacher show is different from Tom Cruise's movies.
The nature of a TV show typically allows more time for the story to develop; however, Amazon's Reacher handles its story and plot with more attention to detail than the Tom Cruise movies. The show made it a point to humanize Jack Reacher while staying true to his book roots. Ritchson's Reacher taking the time to solve puzzles, investigations and make deductions was done organically throughout each episode leading to a more involved audience experience.
The show also allows the supporting cast to get more attention and development, mainly Detective Finlay and Officer Conklin. The story progresses organically, and it genuinely feels like a classic Jack Reacher story coming to life, and sets up Reacher season 2 after its initial success.
Ritchson's portrayal of Jack Reacher is more menacing and intimidating than the Tom Cruise version. Putting size difference aside, Ritchson's delivery of lines and presence set him apart as someone who could actually handle himself in the wild situations he finds himself in throughout the show. Ritchson's portrayal of Reacher is given the time to grow throughout the season and feels considerably different from the calm, cool, collected demeanor that Tom Cruise chose to go with.
Tom Cruise is not as physically imposing as Alan Ritchson; that much is clear, but it affected the fight choreography of the films and the TV show. Tom Cruise was initially cast despite his size as Jack Reacher, and this did not work for all fans. A significant aspect of the Jack Reacher novels was the portrayal of Reacher's combat prowess and his ability to kill someone with his bare hands. Ritchson showed this throughout the series, with the shower fight scene being a great example. Cruise is less physically imposing, and his fight scenes rely on technique and skill to win, especially when the odds are not in his favor.
Ritchson's Jack Reacher was a force of will throughout the series, and that shined through in every fight scene. The punishment Ritchson takes in the show is more realistic and shows the character's gritty, determined side much more effectively than the Cruise version. Jack Reacher is a man of few words and while Amazon's Reacher featured plenty of iconic quotes and lines, Reacher himself was a man of few words and mostly let his physicality do the talking. Alan Ritchson understood the assignment and delivered small one-liners without cracking a smile or making it feel too campy or cheesy.
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